Door lock actuator

ABSTRACT

This disclosure relates to an actuator for a locking mechanism for an automobile door. The actuator comprises a support member which is pivotally supported within the door and a one-piece, flexible actuator rod. The actuator rod has a first portion that extends outwardly of the door and which is axially shiftable by manual manipulation between door lock and door unlock positions. The actuator rod has a second portion that extends within the door and which is axially unaligned with the first portion. The second portion is adapted to be operably connected with the locking mechanism to effect locking and unlocking thereof in response to axial shifting of the second portion. The actuator rod also has a transverse portion between the first and second portions which is supported for axial movement by the support member. The transverse portion pivots the support member and slides axially therein, and the actuator rod deflects between the transverse portion and the first portion and between the transverse portion and the second portion in response to shifting of the first portion between its door locked and door unlocked positions for axially shifting the second portion to effect locking and unlocking of the locking mechanism.

llnited States Patent [1 1 ill [ DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR Kim Hill, Rochester, Mich.

[73] Assignee: General Motors Corporation,

Detroit, Mich.

221 Filed: Sept. 5, 1972 21 Appl.No.: 286,255

[75] Inventor:

Primary Examiner-Richard E. Moore Attorney- -W. E. Finken et al.

[5 7] ABSTRACT This disclosure relates to an actuator for a locking Jan.8, 1974 mechanism for an automobile door. The actuator comprises a support member which is pivotally supported within the door and a one-piece, flexible actuator rod. The actuator rod has a first portion that extends outwardly of the door and which is axially shiftable by manual manipulation between door lock and door unlock positions. The actuator rod has a second portion that extends'within the door and which is axially unaligned with the first portion. The second portion is adapted to be operably connected with the locking mechanism to effect locking and unlocking thereof in response to axial shifting of the second por tion. The actuator rod also has a transverse portion between the first and second portions which is supported for axial movement by the support member. The transverse portion pivots the support member and slides axially therein, and the actuator rod deflects between the transverse portion and the first portion and between the transverse portion and the second portion in response to shifting of the first portion between its door locked and door unlocked positions for axially shifting the second portion to effect locking and unlocking of the locking mechanism.

4 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures 1 DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR The present invention relates to automotive vehicle door lock mechanisms and more particularly to a door lock actuator for an automotive vehicle door.

Many four door automotive vehicle bodies have the rear doors hingedly supported to the vehicle body at their forwardmost end and have a door lock and latch,

mechanism on their rearwardmost end. Under such circumstances, it has been conventional to provide a door lock actuator of multiple part construction. Such door lock actuators have generally taken the construction of a vertical member extending upwardly through and which projects out of the door and which terminates in a button adjacent the window, a pivotably mounted bell crank lever supported upon the inner panel of the door and to which the vertical member is operably connected, and a horizontal member having one end operably connected with the bell crank lever and its other end operably connected with the locking mechanism of the rear door. The operation of such door lock actuators involves shifting the vertical member vertically between the door lock and unlock positions, which serves to rotate the bell crank lever and which in turn axially shifts the horizontal member to lock or unlock the door lock mechanism. The necessity for the multi-part door lock actuator is that it is desirable for the actuator knob to be positioned adjacent the forward end of the rear door for ease of operation thereof by a rear seat passenger.

An object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved door lock actuator for rear doors in automotive vehicle bodies and which is of simple and economical construction and easy to assemble.

Another object of the present invention is-to provide a new and improved actuator for a door locking mechanism of an automotive vehicle door and which comprises a support member that is pivotally supported within the door and a one-piece flexible actuator rod which has a first generally vertical portion that extends outwardly of the door and which is axially shiftable by manual manipulation between door lock and door unlock positions, a second generally horizontal portion extending within the door and which is adapted to be operably connected with the door locking mechanism to effect locking and unlocking thereof in response to axial shifting of the second portion, and a third transverse or slanted portion between the first and second portions which is supported for axial movement by the support member, and wherein the transverse portion pivots the support member and slides axially therein while the actuator rod deflects between the transverse portion and the first portion and between the transverse portion and the second portion in response to shifting of the first portion between its door locked and door unlocked positions for axially shifting the second portion to effect locking and unlocking of the locking mechanism.

These and other objects of the present invention are accomplished in a preferred embodiment of the present invention by providing a door lock actuator for a door locking mechanism of an automobile rear door which comprises a support member that is pivotally supported within the door and a one-piece, flexible actuator rod which has a vertical portion extending outwardly of the door and terminating in a manually operable end. The vertical portion of the actuator rod is axially shiftable between door lock and door unlock positions. The actuator rod has a horizontal portion extending within the door and which has a termination operatively connected with the locking mechanism to effect locking and unlocking thereof in response to axial shifting of the horizontal portion. The actuator rod further has a transverse or slanted portion that extends between the vertical and horizontal portions and which is slidably supported by the support member. The transverse portion pivots the support member and slides axially therein while the actuator rod deflects between the transverse and vertical portions and between the transverse and horizontal portions in response to shifting of the vertical portion between its door locked and unlocked positions for axially shifting the horizontal portion to effect locking and unlocking of the locking mechanism.

These and other objects of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description and drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automobile vehicle rear door embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged view of the automotive vehicle rear door and which shows in greater detail the present invention embodied therein;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an end view of a part of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but with portions removed; and

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but with different parts in different positions.

As representing a preferred embodiment of the invention, the drawings show an automotive vehicle rear door 10 having an outer panel 12, and an inner panel 14 which is exposed for the purposes of this application because the inner door trim inner panel is not shown. The door 10 is adapted to be mounted to an automotive vehicle body (not shown) by any suitable or conventional hinge means (not shown) which is mounted to a forward flange 16 of the inner panel 14. The vehicle door 10 also includes a suitable door lock and latch mechanism 17, which mounted adjacent the outer panel 12 and upon a rearward flange 18 of the inner panel 14. Since the door lock and latch mechanism does not per se form a part of the present invention, it will not be described in detail. Suffice it to say that it is preferably of the type shown in U. S. Pat. No. 3,523,704 and broadly includes an actuator lever 20 which is pivotally movable between two positions in which it effects locking and unlocking, of the lock mechanism 17.

The door lock actuator 22 of the present invention broadly comprises a support member 24 and an actuator rod 26.

Referring to FIGS, 2 and 3, the support member 24 is shown as a generally disc-like, one-piece member which is rotatably supported upon the inner panel 14 of the door 10. Referring additionally to FIG. 4, the support member 24, which can be of any suitable mate rial such as a plastic, has a base portion 28 from one end 280 of which a circumferential flange portion 30 extends radially outwardly therefrom. Axially spaced from the flange portion 30 and adjacent the other end 28b of the base portion 28 are a pair of diametrically opposed lugs 32 which similiarly extend radially outwardly from the base portion 28. The support member 24 also includes a pair of slightly deflectable or deformable projections 34 at the one end 28a thereof and adjacent the flange portion 30. The projections 34, as best shown in FIG. 4, define a generally cylindrical passage 36 across the one end 28a of the support member 24 and the passage 36 has an axially extending receiving opening 37. The support member 24 is adapted to be rotatably or pivotally supported within a recess or depression 38 in the inner panel 14 at a position generally adjacent the uppermost portion and the forward flange 16 of the inner panel 14.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the depression 38 of the inner panel 14 has an opening 40 therein. The opening 40 has a first circular portion 40a generally complementary with the cross-sectional shape of the end 28b of the base portion 28. The opening 40 also has a pair of diametrically opposed cut-outs 40b which are generally complementary in shape with the lugs 32 on the base portion 28 of the support member 24. The support member 24 is mounted to the inner panel 14 by inserting the base portion 28 and the lugs 32 through the opening 40 and rotating the support member 24 to the position'shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 such that the opening 36 of the support means 24 is substantially aligned with the cut-outs 40b of the opening 40. In this manner, the lugs 32 and the flange portion 30 of the support member 24 are positioned on opposite sides of the inner panel 14 approximately 90 from cut-outs b and,

opening 48 in the upper flange 14a of the inner panel I 14. Further, the vertical portion 46 of the actuator rod 26 has secured thereto a manually manipulatable garnish button 50. I

The actuator rod 26 also includes a second or horizontal portion 52 which extends from the bend 43 in the rod 26 rearwardly through the inside of the door assembly 10 and which has its termination operably connected by any suitable means with the actuator 20 of the door lock mechanism 17.

The actuator rod 26 also includes a transverse or slanted portion 54 which extends between the vertical portion 46 and the horizontal portion 52 and between the bends 42 and 43 in the rod 26. Thus, the transverse portion 54 is in a generally obtuse angular relationship with the vertical portion 46 at bend 42 and also with the horizontal portion 52 at bend 43. The transverse portion 54 is snap fittingly positioned and slidably supported within the passage 36 of the support member 24 by forcing the transverse portion 54 through the opening 37 and between the slightly deflectable projections 34 which define the passage 36. Thus, the transverse portion 54 is positioned for axially sliding movement relative to the support member 24 and for pivoting movement therewith.

With reference to FIG. 6, the door lock actuator 22 is manually shiftable between a door lock position or state, as shown by the phantom lines in FIG. 6, and a door unlock position or state, as shown by the solid lines in FIG. 6. Assuming the lock mechanism 17 to be -4 in an unlocked state and the door lock actuator 22 to be in its unlocked position, the operation of the door lock actuator 22 will now be described. When a downward force is manually exerted upon the garnish button 50, the vertical portion 46 of the actuator rod 26 is forced to shift axially downward and transversely across the opening 48 in the inner panel 14a to its door locked position as shown in phantom lines in FIG. 6. As this occurs, the transverse portion 54 slides axially within the passage 36 of the support member 24 as support member 24 pivots counterclockwise. Further, the actuator rod 26 deflects at the bend 42 and the transverse portion 54 and vertical portion 46 assume a lesser angular relationship. Further, the horizontal portion 52 of the actuator rod 26, by virtue of the axial shifting and pivoting movement of the transverse portion 54, is

caused to move upwardly and horizontally rearward toward the lock mechanism 17 and the actuator rod 26 deflects at the bend 43 such that the transverse portion 54 and the horizontal portion 52 assume a greater angular relationship, as is also shown in phantom lines in FIG. 6. It should be understood that the horizontal or axial movement of the horizontal portion 52 of the actuator rod 26 causes the actuator lever 20 to be shifted and to lock the locking mechanism 17, and that the extent of the pivotal movement of the support member is less than and hence, the support member 24 will not disengage itself from the panel 14.

When it is desired to unlock the locking mechanism 17, the garnish button 15 is lifted vertically and the actuator rod 26 and support 24 are shifted in a manner substantially the reverse of that described above and again assume the position shown in solid lines in FIG. 6.

What is claimed is:

1. An actuator for a locking mechanism for a door of an automotive vehicle comprising: a support member pivotably supported by the door for movement in opposite directions; and a one-piece, flexible actuator rod having two bends therein, said actuator having one end portion extending outwardly of the door and being shiftable between door lock and door unlocked positions, said rod having a second end portion operatively connected with the locking mechanism to effect locking and unlocking thereof in response to movement of said second end portion, said actuator rod being slidably supported between said two bends within said support member, said actuator rod sliding within said support member and pivoting the latter and deflecting at said two bends in response to shifting of said first end portion between its position to effect movement of said second end portion to lock and unlock the locking mechanism.

2. An actuator for a locking mechanism of an automobile door, comprising: a support member pivotably supported within the door for movement in opposite directions; and a one-piece, flexible actuator rod having a first portion extending outwardly of the door and being axially shiftable by manual manipulation between door lock and door unlock positions, said actuator rod having a second portion extending within the door and unaligned with said first portion, said second portion being adapted to be operably connected with the locking mechanism to effect locking and unlocking thereof in response to axial shifting of said second portion, said actuator rod having a transverse portion between said first and second portions and supported for axial movement by said support member, said transverse portion pivoting said support member and sliding axially therein and said actuator rod deflecting between said transverse portion and said first-portion and between said transverse portion and said second portion in response to shifting of said first portion between its door lock and door unlock positions for axially shifting said second portion to effect locking and unlocking of the locking mechanism.

3. A lock actuator for a locking mechanism of an automobile rear door comprising: a support member pivotably supported within the door; and a one-piece, flexible actuator rod having a vertical portion extending outwardly of the door and terminating in a manually operable end, said vertical portion being axially shiftable between door lock and door unlock positions, said actuator rod having a horizontal portion extending within the door and having its termination operatively connected with the locking mechanism to effect locking and unlocking thereof in response to axialshifting of said horizontal portion, said actuator rod also having a transverse portion extending between said vertical and horizontal portions and slidably supported by said support member, said transverse portion pivoting said support member and sliding axially therein and said actuator rod deflecting between said transverse and vertical portions and between said transverse and horizontal portions in response to shifting of said vertical portion between its door lock and unlock positions for axially shifting the horizontal portion to effect locking and unlocking of the locking mechanism.

.piece, flexible actuator rod with a vertical portion extending outwardly of the door and terminating in a knob adjacent the hinged end of the door, said knob being manually maniputable to shift said vertical portion axially between door locked and. door unlocked positions, said actuator rod having a horizontal portion extending within the door and having its termination operatively connected with the locking mechanism to effect locking and unlocking thereof in response to axial shifting of said horizontal portion, said actuator rod also having a transverse portion between said vertical and horizontal portions and slidably supported within said opening of said support member, said transverse portion shifting axially through said support member and pivoting therewith and said actuator rod deflecting between said transverse and vertical portions and between said transverse and horizontal portions in response to shifting of said vertical portion between its door lock and door unlock positions in response to shifting of said vertical portion between its door locked and door unlocked positions whereby said horizontal portion is shifted axially'to effect'locking and unlocking of the locking mechanism. 

1. An actuator for a locking mechanism for a door of an automotive vehicle comprising: a support member pivotably supported by the door for movement in opposite directions; and a one-piece, flexible actuator rod having two bends therein, said actuator having one end portion extending outwardly of the door and being shiftable between door lock and door unlocked positions, said rod having a second end portion operatively connected with the locking mechanism to effect locking and unlocking thereof in response to movement of said second end portion, said actuator rod being slidably supported between said two bends within said support member, said actuator rod sliding within said support member and pivoting the latter and deflecting at said two bends in response to shifting of said first end portion between its position to effect movement of said second end portion to lock and unlock the locking mechanism.
 2. An actuator for a locking mechanism of an automobile door, comprising: a support member pivotably supported within the door for movement in opposite directions; and a one-piece, flexible actuator rod having a first portion extending outwardly of the door and being axially shiftable by manual manipulation between door lock and door unlock positions, said actuator rod having a second portion extending within the door and unaligned with said first portion, said second portion being adapted to be operably connected with the locking mechanism to effect locking and unlocking thereof in response to axial shifting of said second portion, said actuator rod having a transverse portion between said first and second portions and supported for axial movement by said support member, said transverse portion pivoting said support member and sliding axially therein and said actuator rod deflecting between said transverse portion and said first portion and between said transverse portion and said second portion in response to shifting of said first portion between its door lock and door unlock positions for axially shifting said second portion to effect locking and unlocking of the locking mechanism.
 3. A lock actuator for a locking mechanism of an automobile rear door comprising: a support member pivotably supported within the door; and a one-piece, flexible actuator rod having a vertical portion extending outwardly of the door and terminating in a manually operable end, said vertical portion being axially shiftable between door lock and door unlock positions, said actuator rod having a horizontal portion extending within the door and having its termination operatively connected with the locking mechanism to effect locking and unlocking thereof in response to axial shifting of said horizontal portion, said actuator rod also having a transverse portion extending between said vertical and horizontal portions and slidably supported by said support member, said transverse portion pivoting said support member and sliding axially therein and said actuator rod deflecting between said transverse and vertical portions and between said transverse and horizontal portions in response to shifting of said vertical portion between its door lock and unlock positions for axially shifting the horizontal portion to effect locking and unlocking of the locking mechanism.
 4. In a rear door of a vehicle body which is hingedly supported to the body at one end and having an inner panel and also having a locking mechanism at its other end, the improvement comprising: a lock actuator having a support member pivotably supported within the door upon the inner panel and with an opening extending therethrough, said lock actuator also having a one-piece, flexible actuator rod with a vertical portion extending outwardly of the door and terminating in a knob adjacent the hinged end of the door, said knob being manually maniputable to shift said vertical portion axially between door locked and door unlocked positions, said actuator rod having a horizontal portion extending within the door and having its termination operatively connected with the locking mechanism to effect locking and unlocking thereof in response to axial shifting of said horizontal portion, said actuator rod also having a transverse portion between said vertical and horizontal portions and slidably supported within said opening of said support member, said transverse portion shifting axially through said support member and pivoting therewith and said actuator rod deflecting between said transverse and vertical portions and between said transverse and horizontal portions in response to shifting of said vertical portion between its door lock and door unlock positions in response to shifting of said vertical portion between its door locked and door unlocked positions whereby said horizontal portion is shifted axially to effect locking and unlocking of the locking mechanism. 